There’s always a reason

Romans 5:3-4 (NLT) says,

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

Apostle Paul tells us that we can rejoice when we are faced with problems and trials, but when challenges arise, we don’t remember these verses, instead we begin praying earnestly for God to get us out of the mess.

But Paul lets us know that there's always a reason for our sufferings. The NIV translation says that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Whether endurance or perseverance, it’s proving our characters and strengthening our hope and assurance of eternal salvation.

So, do we or don’t we pray? The answer: yes, pray but it’s what we pray about or for that makes a difference.

Ask God to reveal the reason for your hardship.

Ask Him to give you the wherewithal to persevere, to endure for as long as it takes.

Ask God for the peace that transcends understanding.

Ask Him to give you a joy-filled heart through the time of testing sore and for it to remain after the trial has passed.

Reading the stories of the ancients in Scripture, you would notice that they were not rescued from their trials, they went through them, emerging with a certain maturity that they did not possess before.

Each one of the protagonists developed strength of character after facing their ordeals with stubborn perseverance.

It’s that same perseverance that empowers us to endure hardships, and the grace of God allows us to get up when we fall.

Joseph’s survival did not depend on escaping the damp cistern, or the Midianites or the Egyptian jail cell; it’s not what was done to him on the outside, but what was developing inside of him during these ordeals.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s survival did not depend on escaping the burning fiery furnace; it’s not what happened on the outside, but what occurred on the inside during the ordeal.

John’s survival on the rugged island of Patmos did not depend on escaping the isolation; it’s not what he saw on the outside, but what he was shown on the inside during his exile.

In all three instances, God was on the inside, and they all recognized His presence.

Beloved, I know how difficult it is to remain hopeful when life goes sideways, when God seems to have abandoned you in a pit of sufferation, but know that whatever hardship you are in right now is not the final chapter…

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and favor], who called you to His own eternal glory in Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you [making you what you ought to be]. – 1 Peter 5:10 (AMP)

Joseph told his brothers,

Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. – Genesis 50:20 (NRSVUE)

Although Nebuchadnezzar, before casting Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the furnace, had ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated, in the end he, in amazement said,

Was it not three men that we threw bound into the fire?...But I see four men unbound, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are not hurt, and the fourth has the appearance of a god. – Daniel 3:4, 5 (NRSVUE)

John wrote,

I was in the spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, “Write in a book what you see”…Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and…I saw one like the Son of Man – Revelation 1:10,11,12 13 (NRSVUE)

We too must recognize God even in the dark places. While your world is crumbling, know that God is still there, He hasn’t left you and despite how chaotic life feels, still be grateful because there’s always a reason for the suffering.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “There’s always a reason” ©2026 June 15, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Examen Prayer

 

You may already know of the examen prayer, but I only recently found out about it. For those of you who may not know of it, I’ll give you just a brief overview, as a single blog post cannot provide you with all that this wonderful prayer entails. So, I encourage you to research it for yourself, see if it’s a fit and with God’s grace, practice it.  

This practice may seem simple enough but it’s profound in its simplicity in that, it purposely brings spiritual power into everyday life since it fosters intimacy with God as you grow in your awareness and communication with Him daily.

The examen prayer taps into a love for God that our hearts yearn for but may never fully experience because it is said that getting into a regular and enduring practice of it is not easy for many people; wanting a closer relationship with God, they begin the practice with much fervour but then, for one reason or another, can’t sustain it.

O God, you are my God, and I long for you. My whole being desires you; like a dry, worn-out, and waterless land, my soul is thirsty for you. – Psalm 63:1 (GNT)

Perduring in the examen prayer requires a genuine desire to love God thoroughly, coupled with willing determination. Both must be present if you are to effectively develop the practice into a lifestyle.

The practice paves the way to a spiritual experience like no other, where you are able to discern God’s loving, spiritual communications.

This powerful practice of prayerful reflection, is done at the end of each day, and involves five steps, however even before you get into these steps, you must become aware of God’s presence, so find a quiet space.

Gratitude: Take the time to be grateful; thank God for the blessings of the day just lived.

 Petition: Examine the light and strength – ask God for insight to shine a light that allows you to see how Spirit has worked in your life throughout the day and ask Him for grace to see your failings and strength to overcome them.

Review: Examine your day with God – carefully and honestly look at both the highs and the lows you would have experienced during the day; analyse the choices you’ve made, the decisions you’ve taken and ask God to reveal to you anything that happened that you did not recognize as divine intervention.

Forgiveness: Seek God’s forgiveness for those moments in the day where your heart was not aligned with His.

 Renewal: Resolve to change whatever behaviour or attitude you need to change and not repeat. Pray for the healing you need and ask God to show you how to live according to what God desires for you, then make a plan with Him for the coming day.

This method of praying is associated with Saint Ignatius who subscribed to looking back at his day with God, thanking Him for being present in his life and being attentive to where God’s grace has been present in the everyday events of his life, as a means of developing an awareness of how God works in his life daily.

Practicing the examen prayer is about finding God in all things, seeing God in the tiniest of details and getting in tune with the spiritual reality that is all around us.

It is transforming.

You and I cannot continue living life spiritually oblivious. There is a spiritual war, and we are caught in the midst of it.

for our struggle is not against blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 6:12 (NRSVUE)

The battle for our souls is very real and praying in this way, opens our eyes, ears and hearts to God daily. We must willingly accept what’s from God and adamantly reject what’s not of God.

So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. – James 4:7 (AMP)

When you submit to the authority of God and stand firm against the devil, all the hollowness, the emptiness you feel is replaced with the fullness of God including peace, joy, and a deep sense of satisfaction.

The examen prayer is believed by many to be an integral part of growth in the spiritual life, as observing this practice increases your awareness of what God is doing in you and around you.

Beloved, you may be thinking that with your busy schedule it may be a challenge to keep up with the examen prayer at the end of every day but it’s worth a try; isn’t it?

Being cognitive of God’s presence today, being grateful for God’s goodness to you today, prepares you to live differently tomorrow.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “The Examen Prayer” ©2026 June 14, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biblical Betrayal

There are so many stories of betrayal recorded in the bible. The most popular betrayal being that of Jesus by His disciple Judas.

Oftentimes we consider betrayal as being a spur of the moment decision, and in some instances, it probably is but more than likely the seed of betrayal is planted long before the betrayal actually occurs.

When Joseph’s brothers, consumed by envy, betrayed him by selling him into slavery, that stemmed from a pre-meditated plan to kill him (see Genesis 37:18-36).

So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for twenty pieces of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt. (v 28 NLT)

Delilah’s decision to betray Samson, did not start on the night she lulled Samson to sleep with his head in her lap, and then…called in a man to shave off the seven locks of his hair. (Judges 16:19 NLT) No, that plan was hatched long before that night,

…Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah, who lived in the valley of Sorek. The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, “Entice Samson to tell you what makes him so strong and how he can be overpowered and tied up securely. Then each of us will give you 1,100 pieces of silver.” (Judges 16:4-5 NLT)

And Judas’ 3-year devotion to Jesus as one of His disciples, belied the evil intent brewing in his heart.

The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? (Jeremiah 7:9 NLT)

The desperately wicked condition of Judas’s heart made him an easy target for demonic possession.

Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. (Luke 22:3-4 NLT)

Judas was not suddenly lured into this ultimate act of betrayal by the chief priests and the teachers of religious law who were already looking for some way to get rid of Jesus (see Luke 22:2). He voluntarily provided them with the solution to their Jesus problem.

They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around (Luke 22:5-6 NLT)

Because of the deceitfulness of Judas’ heart, betrayal was second nature to him.

You see, Judas also had a problem with Jesus. In his eyes, Jesus was a failed messiah, not the real deal, a masquerader.

The Jews, long subjugated by the Romans were desperate for a Messiah, someone who would ride into town on a stallion, brandishing a weapon of mas destruction to annihilate the entire Roman Empire in one fell swoop but the rivalry they’d imagined between the prophesied Messiah and Rome never materialised.

Judas was not unlike his countrymen and what he thought the deliverance would be like and what it actually was did not correlate. This Messiah to whom he had devoted three years of his life, was just a wimpy kid, not at all the fierce, battle-ready warrior he had envisioned.

All this time that Judas knew Jesus, he never knew Jesus, and like several of his fellow disciples, during his walk with Jesus, he never truly understood who Jesus was until the day of His crucifixion. Before then, he did not grasp the bigger picture (see Luke 9:43-45).

The belief is that Judas’ betrayal of Jesus was driven by greed but perhaps the driving force behind his actions was intense anger and a deep-rooted disillusionment with Jesus’ mission. it was not about the money, the 30 pieces of silver, the betrayal was afoot way before there was any financial negotiations.

Judas had spent three years with Jesus, he had seen the miracles, heard the sermons, listened to the teachings, experienced the love and the friendship but it wasn’t enough to counteract his extreme disappointment. His kiss usually a sign of deep affection signalled his betrayal.

Delilah coddling Samson’s head in her lap, normally a display of deep affection became a signal of betrayal.

Joseph, excited to be with his older brothers, searches for them but when he finally finds them, they don't welcome him, they betray him.

Betrayal cuts deep; physical injuries heal over time but the wounds from shattered trust fester, leaving scars that last forever.

Many more betrayal stories can be found in the bible, Cain and Abel, Saul and David, David and Uriah, to name a few. All of which carry a heavy price, but the three highlighted today are the only ones where silver was exchanged for betrayal to emphasize the profound consequences of betrayal.

Betrayal is certainly not confined to first century biblical history, it is rampant in this modern era; betrayal happens every day in homes, workplaces, schools, churches and governments.

The envy, the jealousy, the resentment, the financial greed, the divided loyalties, the ambition, the disappointment, the fear, the angst, and the moral weakness that influenced Joseph’s brothers, Delilah and Judas are the exact same things that influence people to commit acts of betrayal today.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick (Jeremiah 17:9 ESV)

This is the human condition that still exists to this day. Nothing has changed, the human heart remains deceitful above of all things, is desperately sick and God knows how bad our hearts are. He sees the contrast between our outward appearance and our inward intentions.

Beloved, these accounts of biblical betrayal aren’t for your reading pleasure, they are necessary lessons on how deception, distrust, disillusionment, resentment, jealousy, envy, misplaced hope, doubt, disappointment, vain ambition, fear, misinformation and immense greed negatively impact your life if left to take root.

These stories of betrayal are meant to resonate with all of us; every one of them compels you to confront uncomfortable truths about yourself and the choices you make that have lasting effects on your life and the lives of others.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Biblical Betrayal” ©2026 June 13, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quit evil associations

 Quit evil associations was Obadiah’s warning to the Edomites.

Obadiah was a prophet and the Book that bears his name is the shortest book in the Old Testament and fourth among the minor Prophets.

The Edomites were descendants of Esau, twin brother to Jacob who was renamed Israel and who conspired with their mother to trick Esau out of his birthright.

Not surprisingly, there existed a smouldering hatred between the Israelites and the Edomites who rejoiced over the afflictions of the Jewish people.

Remember, Lord, what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell.
“Tear it down,” they cried, “tear it down to its foundations!” (Psalm 137:7 NIV)

Even though Edom is figured predominantly in many of the prophetic Scriptures, it is the primary subject of the entire book of Obadiah.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1 NIV)

When a people has inherited hatred towards another group of people and their core has been pervaded by anger, arrogance, pride, envy, betrayal, egotism, racism and an undeniable lust for vengeance, the hope of brotherhood – living together in unity –  is greatly diminished if not non-existent.

These were the underlying factors that fuelled the Edomites profanity against God’s people, the cause for their evil associations and God’s intense ire towards them.

“I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” says the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau; I have made his hill country a desolation and his heritage a desert for jackals. (Malachi 1:2-3 NRSVUE)

 Obadiah’s prophecy consists of a series of condemnatory statements against the Edomites. From the very first verse the purpose of this book becomes clear.

The Lord has sent his messenger to the nations, and we have heard his message: “Get ready! Let us go to war against Edom!”
The Lord says to Edom, “I will make you weak; everyone will despise you.
Your pride has deceived you. Your capital is a fortress of solid rock; your home is high in the mountains, and so you say to yourself, ‘Who can ever pull me down?’
Even though you make your home as high as an eagle's nest, so that it seems to be among the stars, yet I will pull you down (Obadiah 1-4 GNT)

Almost every verse in Obadiah is an exacting denouncement of the nation of Edom, and though this is an ancient political prophecy, looking at what is happening in the world today, it may stand as a warning to any of the nations and its people that fit a similar description.

The Day of the Lord is coming soon to all the nations. And the evil you did to others will happen to you. The same bad things will fall down on your own head. You spilled blood on my holy mountain, so other nations will spill your blood. You will be finished. It will be as if you never existed. (vv 15-16 ERV)

In verses 1 to 16, Obadiah tells of the nation’s destruction and predicts the fate of persons who fight against God and His beloved people. And together, verses 12 to 14, constitute an exhortation of all that Edom should not have done; it’s saying that Edom should have quit evil associations.

The ending verses of Obadiah’s prophecy is an assurance of God’s promise of deliverance and restoration of His people (vv 17-21);  

For deliverers will come to Jerusalem and rule all Edom. And the Lord shall be King! (v 21 TLB)

Edom was guilty of associating with the enemies of Israel at a time when they were faced with much trouble. Edom and Israel were twin brothers, Esau and Jacob, but brotherly betrayal caused a rift between them which, after many years became a chasm of separation too vast to reunite.

Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears. (Hebrews 12:16-17 NLT)

Esau had settled in the rugged hill country of Mount Seir (see Genesis 36:8), an area that became known as Edom after the Edomites dispossessed and destroyed the Horites, the original inhabitants. It was here that Esau’s descendants built impressive, fortified cities into the cliffs and boasted military strength. This gave them a feeling of invincibility which bolstered their pride and fostered the inflated view they had of themselves.

Beloved, pride deceives you into believing that you are wiser and stronger than you really are; it lulls you into a false sense of security and shifts your trust and reliance from God to yourself.

Nothing is secure if not under God’s protection – no position (political or otherwise), no university degree, no doctorate, no amount of wealth, no net worth, no fancy job title – and all those who are relying on these things, arrogantly gloating and engaging in evil associations will meet their downfall because their actions don’t ever go unnoticed.

Remember, Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall. (Proverbs 16:18 GNT)

God sees all and knows all, and His justice inevitably prevails, no matter how long it takes.

He gives us more and more strength to stand against all such evil longings. As the Scripture says, God gives strength to the humble but sets himself against the proud and haughty. – James 5:6 (TLB) [also Proverbs 3:34 & 1 Peter 5:5]

God humiliates the proud and defends the oppressed. He will not remain silent forever; a day of reckoning is coming for all those nations, leaders, citizens and anyone else who, like the Edomites, refuse to quit evil associations!

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Quit evil associations” ©2026 June 12, 2026

 

 

One who serves

 

In the Easy-to-Read Version of Luke’s Gospel, chapter twenty-two, verses twenty-four through twenty-seven, we read,

Later, the apostles began to argue about which one of them was the most important. But Jesus said to them, “The kings of the world rule over their people, and those who have authority over others want to be called ‘the great providers for the people.’ But you must not be like that. The one with the most authority among you should act as if he is the least important. The one who leads should be like one who serves. Who is more important: the one serving or the one sitting at the table being served? Everyone thinks it’s the one being served, right? But I have been with you as the one who serves.

This passage speaks volumes and more people, especially leaders and elders in church, ought to pay closer attention to what Jesus is conveying to His disciples and to all of us.

Too many of our leaders persist in lording their authority over the “lesser” members of the church.

Apostle Peter himself warned,

I, who am an elder myself, appeal to the church elders among you…I appeal to you to be shepherds of the flock that God gave you and to take care of it willingly, as God wants you to, and not unwillingly. Do your work, not for mere pay, but from a real desire to serve. Do not try to rule over those who have been put in your care, but be examples to the flock. – 1 Peter 5:1, 2-3 (GNT)

Some, placed in positions of authority, use that authority as a power tool to wield over others, while some, who have genuinely received a call from God, seem to have forgotten from Whom the call came and thinking themselves superior to others, behave as though they have never read the Gospel accounts or studied the bible.

The division of members into important and insignificant, great and small does not belong in church and this should be exercised by every Christian wherever they find themselves.

But this display of the-great-providers-for-the-people behaviour is not exclusive to leaders in church but is too often seen in Christians who hold positions of leadership in the workplace, leaving co-workers to question their brand of Christianity.

Jesus tells us that we must not be like that; a leader is the one who serves and does not demand to be served.

When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17), it was to provide them an example of what true leadership entails.

he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. – John 13:5 (NIV)

Many erroneously believe that this was a ritual of sorts, but it was an act of genuine service; a necessary lesson to be learned. We must be careful not to brush aside Jesus’ teachings concerning service.

Beloved, as a follower of Jesus, you are obliged to accept all of His teachings, not as a mere act to perform from time to time but as a way of life. Wherever life may take you, you must be the one who serves, not begrudgingly but willingly, not haughtily but in authentic humility, keeping in mind always,

People who make themselves important will be made humble. But those who make themselves humble will be made important. – Luke 18:14 (ERV)

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “One who serves” ©2026 June 11, 2026

 

 

 

 

Two Words

Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. – Psalm 55:22 (NLT)

Before the serpent, before the eating of the forbidden fruit, before the casting out, every possible need of man was fulfilled; there was no You will work hard for your food, until your face is covered with sweat. You will work hard until the day you die… (ref. Genesis 3:19 ERV).

In the Garden, Adam was well provided for. He did not have to work hard because God had already placed everything in the beautiful Garden before placing Adam there.

Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the East, and there he put the man he had formed. – Genesis 2:8 (GNT)

Adam was only required to take care of the Garden (see Genesis 2:15) and enjoy the benefits that his connection with God afforded him.

Then there was the catastrophe of the fall and man’s connection with the divine was severed. But God had a plan to restore connectivity; reconnection to Him is offered to us through Jesus Christ and so today, we have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits and the blessings of a divine connection with God, our Source of provision.

Understand that it was never God’s intention for man to carry the burden of survival. As Apostle Paul rightly says,

And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19 (AMPC)

Struggling to survive, a major side effect of the fall, triggered a self-reliant default setting in Adam’s progeny but restoration through Christ, is meant to alleviate that mentality.

I use the word alleviate because it is not easily accomplished; moving from self-reliance to God-dependence is a process that requires a dogged belief and a great degree of trust in God to break that spiritual stronghold that we’ve inherited.

It begins with declaring the Word to yourself using just two words: “I trust”

I trust that God will liberally supply my every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus

I trust God with all my heart and I do not rely on my own understanding; I submit to Him in all my ways and He makes my paths straight

I trust that God is with me, so I’m not afraid and I’m not dismayed; I trust God to give me strength, to help me, and uphold me with His righteous right hand.

I trust that Jesus came so that I may live a rich and satisfying life.

Beloved, these are just a few examples to give you an idea of what your part in the process should look like. Two words that carry a great deal of weight. Beginning each declaration with “I trust” is powerful enough to shift the atmosphere outside you and inside you.

And as these two words become your personal mantra, soon enough your whole perspective will change from self-centred to God-centred and your life will never be the same.

Amen †

(Bible verses: Philippians 4:19; Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 41 :10 ; John 10 :10)

Shelley Johnson “Two Words” ©2026 June 10, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

"Give to God what belongs to God"

 

Time and time again throughout the Gospels, we see the Jewish religious leaders trying to trick Jesus into saying something that would incriminate Him, but Jesus was always a step ahead of them.

In chapter twelve of Mark’s Gospel, they were at it again by posing this question to Jesus,

“Teacher, we know that you are an honest man. You are not afraid of what others think about you. All people are the same to you. And you teach the truth about God’s way. Tell us, is it right to pay taxes to Caesar? Should we pay them or not?” (Mark 12:14 ERV)

You see, in Jesus’ day, Rome was in control and their manner of ruling was founded on arrogance, greed, pride and violence. The people of Israel carried a venomous distaste for the Romans and were rigorously intolerant of the empire.

The Romans had conquered their land and eroded their freedom and to the Israelites, having to pay taxes to these people was unconscionable.

Jesus saw right through the religious leaders’ hypocritical scheme as they salivated at the mouth awaiting His answer.

Jesus knew that these men were really trying to trick him. He said, “Why are you trying to catch me saying something wrong? (Mark 12:15 ERV)

Jesus was no fool, He was not fooled, and He let them know it.

On the one hand, to deny Caesar was to incur the wrath of the state and certain death and on the other, was to incur the wrath of the people and certain ostracising if He were to defend Caesar.

So, what does Jesus do?

They may have thought that Jesus was ignorant of their tactics, but He was not, so Jesus answers their question with an assertion.

Bring me a silver coin. Let me see it.” They gave Jesus a coin and he asked, “Whose picture is on the coin? And whose name is written on it?” They answered, “It is Caesar’s picture and Caesar’s name.”

Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” The men were amazed at what Jesus said. (Mark 12:15-17 ERV)

Caesar’s coin belonged to Caesar so giving it back to him was the right thing to do and all that belongs to God must be given to God.

And just like that, Jesus masterfully avoids their trap, leaving them amazed at what He said. We too should be amazed as we ponder upon Jesus’ words…

“Give to God what belongs to God”

What belongs to God; do you know?

The earth and everything on it belong to the Lord. The world and all its people belong to him…for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. (Psalm 24:1 ERV; 50:10-12 NIV)

Both Psalms answer the question clearly; no explanation is needed.

 “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” (NIV)

There’s but one Kingdom, however God does give persons the power to rule (see Romans 13:1). He establishes governing authorities but is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth (ref. Daniel 4:17).

So, obedience to the governing bodies can only be in the context of everything belonging to God.

Beloved, it is our duty, first and foremost, to honour God, for He is our Governor. Even though we belong to different churches, and belong to different nationalities, we all belong to God.

While we have earthly citizenship and are in the world, as Christians we are not of the world (see John 17:15-16), for we belong to something far greater, we are citizens of God’s Kingdom.

As Kingdom belongers, our lives must be deeply informed and guided by the thought, language and morality of the Kingdom, as we live our faith in the world.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson "Give to God what belongs to God” ©2026 June 9, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

What about Orpah?

 

You may never have heard about Orpah but I’m sure that you have heard about Ruth, the Moabite daughter-in-law of Naomi who eventually married a rich landowner named Boaz.

Well, Orpah was also Naomi’s daughter-in-law. She, a Moabite like Ruth, was married to one of Naomi’s sons but now both sons were dead and Naomi, also widowed and without her sons, thought it best that if they were to have any chance of survival, they should all return to their own people, she to the Israelites and her daughters-in-law to their mothers.

Naomi told her daughters-in-law, “Each of you should go back home to your mother. You have been very kind to me and my sons who are now dead. So I pray that the Lord will be just as kind to you. I pray that the Lord will help each of you find a husband and a good home.” Naomi kissed her daughters-in-law, and they all started crying. (Ruth 1:8-9 ERV)

Ruth clung to Naomi, but Orpah chose to go back home to her mother.

Then Orpah kissed Naomi goodbye, but Ruth hugged her and stayed. Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her own people and her own gods. You should do the same.” (Ruth 1: 14-15 ERV)

We are not told anything more about Orpah after she went back to her mother, all we can do is speculate about what may have become of her.

In choosing to go back to what she’d left behind so long ago, and the fact that she has faded into obscurity, we can only deduce that Orpah may have gone back to living an idolatrous way of life.

Long story not too long…

The Moabites were descendants of Moab who was born of the incestuous union between Lot and his eldest daughter (see Genesis 19:30-38) making the Israelites and the Moabites relatives. Throughout the years, these two peoples experienced much interaction through altercation, so there was much history between them.

In Numbers 22-24 we read about Moab as it plays a role in the story of Balaam and the talking donkey and in the time of the judges there was a considerable amount of travel between Judah and Moab.

It was in the days of the judges that Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, had taken her and their two sons to Moab from Judah in an effort to escape a famine; it was there that their sons met and married Ruth and Orpah.

Throughout the years there were many prophesies of destruction levied against Moab because of their sin against God and His chosen people. Isaiah 16:6 points out Moab’s prevailing sin aside from idolatry.

We have heard of Moab’s pride how great is her arrogance! of her conceit, her pride and her insolence; but her boasts are empty. (NIV)

And this is what Orpah chose to go back to despite having lived with a family of Israelites, despite her exposure to Israel’s God.

Now, Orpah had every intention to go with Naomi to Judah as she had initially left with her but with her mother-in-law entreating both she and Ruth to return to Moab, she obviously had a change of heart, accepted Naomi’s argument and turned back.

Naomi must have been very concerned not only about her own welfare but that of both her daughters-in-law, as Judah would have held great uncertainty for three widowed women, two of whom were young foreigners.

We can only imagine that her decision to return to her mother, her own people and her gods would not have been made lightly, and we can see from the text that she was indeed heartbroken to leave the people whom she obviously loved deeply.

Orpah’s return to Moab signified her return to the Moabite culture and customs and the estrangement from everything she may have learnt being in an Israelite household – a return to the gods of Moab was a rejection of the God of Israel.

Orpah must have known of the challenges she would face upon her return to Moab but perhaps the thought of the ridicule she would be subjected to as a young widow in a foreign land far outweighed the challenges in her own homeland, making her choose what she considered the easy road, unwilling to take that leap of faith.

It is not easy to step into uncertainty; it requires strong faith to take a leap of faith and perhaps Orpah did not possess such faith.

What about you; are you willing to step into uncertainty, to take a leap of faith into what is unfamiliar?

When faced with a difficult decision, do you choose to trust God and move forward on a new but seemingly bumpy road, or do you return to the road you’ve been on before?

On this Christian journey, challenges will arise, as Jesus said,

“…in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] (John 16:33 AMP)

It isn’t easy when you attempt to traverse this spiritual road on your own but clinging to Jesus and following His lead in faith makes for a much easier journey.

Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way]. (Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP)

Beloved, we cannot afford to be Orpahs, we cannot afford to turn back to where we’ve come from because it seems easier, convenient, or familiar. 

Orpah did not have the privilege of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, but you and I do so, we, by the power of His Spirit in us, need to master the art of walking by faith and not by sight (ref. 2 Corinthians 5:7), trusting in and relying confidently in our Lord to direct and establish our every step along the way.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “What about Orpah?” ©2026 June 8, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trying to Transform while Conforming

 

Apostle Paul in writing to the congregation in Rome, tells them,

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2a NIV)

After several centuries things haven’t changed much as there are still many persons attending church Sunday after Sunday to whom this verse applies; people who are trying to transform while conforming to the pattern of this world.

They know of God but don’t know God. Like Philip, they’ve been in church for years but still can’t recognize the Father.

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (John 14:9 NIV)

They believe in Jesus, but they struggle with change, so it’s easier to hold on to the familiar patterns rather than deal with the “uncertainty” of transformation.

They are saved but have not truly taken ownership of their salvation and they are definitely not prepared to work out their salvation with fear and trembling (see Philippians 2:12).

Beloved, trying to transform while conforming is like spinning a top in mud, it just doesn’t work. You just cannot have it both ways. Transformation is a complete change in your mindset. It’s tantamount to reprogramming. As the apostle says, it is the renewing of your mind.

All your worldly ways of thinking are thrown out, and your thinking is realigned to be in alignment with the will of God, as Paul goes on to say,

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2b NIV)

However, you are not meant to accomplish any of this in your own strength, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose (Philippians 2:13 NIV).

It may be easier to hold on to the familiar, but it is much more beneficial to let go and let God; as for God, his way is perfect (ref. Psalm 18:30).

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Trying to Transform while Conforming” ©2026 June 7, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let us Pray to Refocus

 

Lord, there is so much happening throughout this world right now; everywhere I turn I am faced with chaos, confusion, injustice and mayhem, at home and abroad and the burdens and pressures they bring are taking their toll on me.

Please reverse any psychological or emotional damage this has done to me and refocus my attention on the unseen yet visible Kingdom of heaven, where no pressures or weight exists.

Bring me Your heavenly peace and lightness to my movements, that I may go about listening to the stillness of Your voice which is calming to my spirit.

I submit these stress-filled feelings to You now.

Refocus my attention upon You Lord, so that I may keep my eyes fixed on You and not the world; remind me that You are bigger than any situation.

Accept my prayer dear Lord, in the precious name of Jesus.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Let us Pray to Refocus” ©2026 June 6, 2026

 

Walking in grace with Grace

 

John 15:4 (ESV) records Jesus as saying,

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

Biblically speaking, abide is defined as “to dwell”, “to remain” or “to be in a continuous state of unwavering fellowship”, however, generally speaking abide can have various meanings, such as, “to wait for” (await), “to accept without objection”, but the one I found most interesting was, “to bear patiently” (tolerate).

That last meaning got me thinking of Jesus’ call for us to abide in Him but even more so Jesus’ abiding in us.

The first part, about us dwelling in Him, remaining in a continuous state of unwavering fellowship, all well and good but then I couldn’t help but imagine the second part of this mutual abiding, as Jesus dwelling in us, accepting all our flaws and annoying behaviour without objection, bearing patiently as He waits for us to finally “get it”.

It must take a lot of grace on Jesus’ part to put up with us humans; don’t you think?

And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace (free, spontaneous, absolute favor and loving-kindness) with God. – Luke 1:30 (AMPC)

Grace signifies the free, spontaneous, absolute favour and loving-kindness of God to human beings who don’t deserve it, but God shows us grace (undeserved, unmerited favour and mercy) because of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation). – Ephesians 2:5 (AMPC)

Through this wonderful grace, the Father who dwells in the Son (see John 10:38 & 14:10), calls us into living fellowship and union with Him through His Spirit who dwells in every believer.

The Father is determined to extend grace – undeserved, unmerited favour – to anyone who has faith in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, the very embodiment of His grace.

And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth. – John 1:14 (AMPC)

This tells us that when we accept Jesus’ call for us to abide in Him, it is us walking in grace with Grace.

Beloved, as a believer in Jesus Christ, grace is the instrument and Grace is the Person, through which God has effected your salvation and that of all believers.

In Apostle Paul’s letter to Titus, he writes,

For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind. – Titus 2:11 (AMPC)

Grace not only secured your salvation, but grace is the sustaining influence that maintains it throughout your life, and it is that which enables you to persevere in your spiritual journey as you continue walking in grace with Grace.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Walking in grace with Grace” ©2026 June 5, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attending not Abiding

 

Recently, I saw a young man who had been an avid member of my church, but I hadn’t seen him in years. Delighted, I called out to him and we chatted for a little while. During our conversation, the topic of his absence from church eventually came up. You see, he was such an active member of the youth group, so I was curious to know why he’d stopped attending.

In response, he said to me, “One Sunday, in church, I realized that I was only coming to church because of tradition and family ties. Although I grew up in church, as I got older, I was getting nothing from church.”

Too many of us are just like this young man, we’ve grown up in church but not in Christ so we get despondent; some walk away but there are others who have stayed, still not recognizing that all they are doing is church…attending not abiding.

We know all the hymns and worship songs by heart.

We’re in the choir and serve as stewards and Sunday School teachers and worship leaders and we are respected elders and deacons and ministers, in church but not in Christ.

Attending not abiding.

We speak Chritianese and we say “Jesus” at the right time with way too much emphasis on that last “s”, we join the obligatory chorus of “Amen” in feigned agreement with the pastor’s preaching, we quote the Word even if we don’t understand it, we look the part on Sunday – attending – but it doesn’t translate Monday to Saturday – not abiding.

We are well versed in church culture but have no real knowledge of Christ’s character.

We know the preacher’s voice when he calls but not Christ’s voice when He calls.

We go to conferences and camps and this meeting and that session, coining catchy themes for them all; we join prayer groups and engage in Bible Study and indulge in fasting week after week, but nothing, absolutely nothing comes of it.

Attending not abiding.

We keep performing faith but performing faith is not transforming faith. False faith collapses in fiery trials. True faith births the impossible.

We teach people how to attend church and condemn them when they don’t, but we never bother to call just to check in and check up on them instead we leave them to walk away because we don’t really care do we.

No one taught us how to follow Jesus, so we sincerely cannot teach others the lesson; we can’t pass it on, so we pass on it.

We seek His presents but not His presence.

We seek comfort but avoid commitment.

We seek renewal but run away from repentance, unwilling to search within but always looking at others, quick to convict rather than hurriedly convince.

We’re not willing to obey but yearning to obtain. Halfway obedience is all the way disobedience.

We’re busy saving sermons that we don’t go back to, making notes that we never review, highlighting bible verses for display not for delighting in God.

Attending not abiding.

But it’s the unseen moments that truly matter…

It’s quiet acquiescence.

Reading your bible when no one is watching.

Praying when you have no words.

Obeying even though you don’t understand the plan.

Going into your prayer closet to commune with God, just you and Him.

Notre Dame Cathedral Paris photo courtesy Erle Robinson

Yes, we are fixated on attending the brick and mortar but not on abiding in the Alpha and Omega; setting our minds on things that are on earth and not on things that are above.

We have been busy building congregations but have not been busy making disciples; concentrating on filling the sanctuary but not the soul; pews of persons deeply religious but not deeply rooted.

Beloved, God is not looking for perfection, He’s not interested in performance, the theme for the month may be clever but that’s not what’s important to God. God wants relationship, He’s interested in your response to His invitation to abide.

Jesus is still calling for you to "Come, follow Me". He longs for your presence, your companionship and your friendship.

Discipleship is not attending church, it is being attentive to Christ; it’s fellowship, it’s fusion, it’s resting at His feet, it’s walking in grace with Grace, it’s you abiding in Him as He is in you.

You're the way the truth and the life
You're the well that never runs dry
I'm the branch and You are the vine
Draw me close and teach me to abide
(Abide by Aaron Williams/Aaron Keyes/Jake Fauber)

 Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Attending not Abiding“ ©2026 June 4, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abiding through Prayer

It’s time to move from striving to abiding; Jesus invites you to come to Him where you will find rest and refreshing.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. (Matthew 11:28 MSG)

photo courtesy Chionsu Barclay

You must daily place yourself in living contact with God – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit – by abiding in Him. One way of abiding is through prayer.

Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you…But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. (John 15:4 & 7 MSG)

God is not merely beside you, He is inside you, alive within you; you are in closer fellowship with the triune God than you realize.

His presence does not fleetingly come and go in momentary spurts of time but is a permanent habitation, for the Holy Spirit has taken up residence in your re-born self.

Abiding through prayer maintains your connection however, likely an inheritance from Adam, we tend to choose our own will but as followers of Jesus we ought to pray as He did,

saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42 ESV)

Be assured that God will respond.

At once an angel from heaven was at his side, strengthening him. He prayed on all the harder. (Luke 22:43-44 MSG)

And even if God’s answer is “No”, you must continue abiding through prayer.

Prayer is supposed to be a natural, easy mode of communication between you and God where you share your heart with God even though He already knows what’s in your heart.

Prayer is not only fellowship with God but should be seen as a loving relationship; a relationship that is meaningful and of great significance to your life.

Prayer is not just about you presenting your needs and then looking out for a quick response. When you view prayer in terms of the number of answers you receive then you’re only seeing God as some type of automated prayer-answering machine.

Prayer isn’t a programme that you switch on and off, abiding through prayer is an ongoing rapport, like the daily phone call you have with your closest friend but so much better.

Abiding through prayer is not about getting what you want or getting God to do things your way, it’s about seeking God’s face and not His hand; it’s knowing who God is, how great He is and greatly to be praised (ref. Psalm 48:1).

Beloved, when you are abiding through prayer, the light of God engulfs you, it is life altering, as it has the power to change your reality.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Abiding through Prayer” ©2026 June 3, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knowing the Truth

 

Early in the morning, Jesus was at the temple teaching the crowd who had gathered there.

“He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” – John 8:23-24 (ESV)

They did not understand.

So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.” – John 8:28 (ESV)

While Jesus spoke and continued speaking, many of them began believing in Him, and turning to the Jews who believed, Jesus said to them,

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:31-32 (ESV)

So, in His teaching, Jesus had earlier declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 ESV), then having said that, He went on to say to them that unless they believed who He had testified to be, they would die in their sins.

Now to the ones that did believe in Him, Jesus gave the key for escaping the wages of sin, which was “abide in My word”.

That key is a master key, as it first opens the way to true discipleship and knowing the truth, then unlocks the door to freedom. And this is the same exact key that has worked throughout the centuries to this day.

Knowing the truth of God’s word sets us on a collision course to freedom but to do so we must plug in the coordinates by abiding in His word. How does one abide?

We say abide,

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you (John 15:7 ESV)

We sing abide,

“Abide in me. Abide in me.”
The Saviour calls to one and all
“Abide in me.”
For I’m the Vine and you’re the branches
I’m the Potter, you’re the clay
“Abide in me. Abide in me.” (by Mac Lynch)

But do we actually abide?

What does abiding look like? What does the Saviour mean by this command?

 When Jesus, our Saviour says, “abide in My word” it’s His invitation to us to the wonderous oneness of life in Him, for He Himself is the Word (John 1:1 & 14), living and active; this word of Jesus is the power of God for our salvation (see Romans 1:16).

Understand that it is His own Spirit that makes the Word to be spirit and life (see John 6:63).

“Abide in My word” is Jesus’ invitation to spiritual communion, settled companionship, intimacy of fellowship and to be enwrapped in closeness of union in Jesus.

Surely, it’s not enough to just read the Word. It needs time spent in His presence daily feeding on Him as necessary food, as Jesus says in John 6:57 (ESV),

As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.

We must accept this gracious invitation to live as it is to experience the purity, power, love, joy, fruit-bearing and all the blessings that Jesus connected with abiding in His word. He came that we may have life and have it abundantly (see John 10:10 ESV).

Beloved, the truth is, Jesus has already provided the grace that enables us to abide but we must surrender ourselves completely to a Saviour who surrendered Himself completely so that we may experience by faith all that He has offered to us.

May the grace of Jesus, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be your daily portion as you are set free by knowing the truth.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Knowing the Truth” ©2026 June 2, 2026

 

The truth will set you free

 

Now, how many times have we heard it said that the truth will set you free? And how many times have you said, “the truth will set you free”? Countless times, I’m sure.

Just as we say, “money is the root of all evil” but have omitted the first part of 1 Timothy 6:10, “the love of”, in the same way, we quote only the latter part of John 8:32. The verse in its entirety is written, “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

photo courtesy O'Reilly Lewis

The truth, if you do not know it, will not set you free; knowing the truth will set you free.

You need to know the truth and only then will you be set free. But what is the truth you need to know? And what will knowing this truth set you free from?

It is the truth regarding salvation; knowing the truth regarding your salvation will set you free from the penalty of sin.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 ESV).

In Jesus you are set free from the bondage of the old cycle and the old spiritual influences of sin.

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. (Romans 6:20-22 ESV) 

There are too many Christians today who hardly apprehend the full extent of salvation because they believe that they must continue to pursue the salvation that they have already received.

Is it that they are under the impression that the finished work of Jesus Christ is not finished?

But it’s easy to be led to believe that as true, as when we look at ourselves, we don’t measure up and that’s because everyone has sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious standard (ref. Romans 3:23).

That’s why it’s so important to know the truth and not just believe what you are told even if what you are being told comes from behind a pulpit.

Stop believing or letting others convince you that you need to finish the work of the cross to be in right standing with God, instead grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity (2 Peter 3:18 ESV).

As a follower of Jesus Christ, you have been saved through His sacrificial death and you are not condemned, you are forgiven; you were saved when you openly confessed that “Jesus is Lord” and believed in your heart that God raised him from the dead (see Romans 10:9).

Beloved, you have been saved by grace because you believed. You did not save [yourself]; it was a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8 ERV).

The truth is, you cannot save yourself (see v 9), Jesus Christ has saved you; He has set you free and whom Jesus has set free is free indeed (ref. John 8:36).

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “The truth will set you free” ©2026 June 1, 2026